When Lilo & Stitch co-writers and co-directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois visited Hawaii before beginning work on this beloved film about ‘ohana, the Hawaiian word describing the importance of family, they decided they would use watercolors to recreate the unique coloring, vegetation, and landscapes found everywhere on the islands. It was a technique that …

On this day in 2002, The Rookie swung into theaters, telling the story of high school coach Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid) who thought his dream was over. He’d had his shot playing baseball, blew out his shoulder and retired without ever reaching the big leagues. Then in 1999, he made a bet with his perpetually …

Before the The Lion King or Mary Poppins smashed Broadway box office records, another Disney Theatrical Productions—Beauty and the Beast—paved the way for Disney productions on the Great White Way. On this day in 2002, the tale as old as time became the 10th-longest running show on Broadway. Since then it has surpassed this mark …

On January 18, 2002, Walt Disney Pictures’ live-action comedy Snow Dogs raced into theaters. Directed by Brian Levant, Snow Dogs stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Ted Brooks, a dentist from Miami, Florida, who receives a letter from Alaska telling him that he is the heir of Lucy Watkins. It is then his mother reveals that …

On this day in 2001, Pixar and Disney left audiences screaming with laughter with the release of Monsters, Inc. In 2002, the film became the second highest-grossing animated film of all time. Monsters, Inc. was also a technological breakthrough in the depiction of fur and hair. Faux llama and gorilla fur were all studied for …

On this day in 2001, Alias, also known as a breathtaking adventure of action-packed espionage and heart-wrenching drama, made its debut on ABC television. Jennifer Garner portrayed Sydney Bristow. Syd is not exactly your average grad student. Her life might appear normal, but she’s hiding a secret life working as a spy for the CIA. …

The second Japanese Disney theme park, Tokyo DisneySea, allowed guests to soak in the surroundings of a world inspired by the myths and legends of the sea. Built on the shores of Tokyo Bay, guests to the aquatic Disney Park can voyage into seven distinct “ports of call,” including Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, …

Once upon a time in a town called San Francisco, lived the Princess of Genovia, Mia Thermopolis. Suddenly, the princess learns of her royalty for the first time and must begin a strange and wondrous journey into the proper behavior and etiquette of being the heir apparent to the crown. Anne Hathaway played Mia Thermopolis, …

Soundstage 2 at The Walt Disney Studios has a rich history of magic created within its four walls. It was initially where the original Dragnet television series was filmed. Although not a Disney production, there was plenty of room at the time to “rent” the stage to Jack Webb. Many attractions for Disneyland were constructed …

The grand opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998 proved that it is possible to use the word “grand” as an understatement. After all, it’s Disney’s largest park, with more than 500 acres of lush landscape and 250 species of animals. When Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opened nearby on this day in 2001, it became …